8 Reasons to Spend More on a SUP Paddle
5-minute read
When it comes to buying a stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) paddle, the rule of thumb is to buy the lightest one you can afford.
A quality paddle can be a big booster for SUP enjoyment (Photo courtesy of Emily Hendricks)
Why? What makes some paddles better than others? Why not just go for what’s cheap? After all, it’s just a paddle.
Many paddle boarders—especially beginners—don’t realize the difference a quality paddle can make in their SUP experience. Instead, they rely on the paddle that came with their board or choose the cheapest one on the rack as an afterthought.
But what all seasoned SUPers know is this: The paddle is your motor. It’s what connects you to the water, propels you, steers you, and is in your hands for sometimes hours at a time.
Those who treat their paddle as a thoughtful buying decision will be much happier in the long run than those who brush it off. Here are eight reasons why it’s worth it to spend more on a quality SUP paddle:
1. Lighter Weight
If you’ve ever rented a paddle board at a local park, you’ve probably experienced a clunky, heavy paddle. That doesn’t seem like a big deal until you’ve been on the water for a while and your shoulders start to ache.
And people who’ve only used heavy, clunky paddles have no idea their SUP experience could be vastly improved by using a lightweight one. If you’re an older adult or have any kind of shoulder, wrist or elbow issues, a lighter paddle could be the difference between enjoying SUP or not.
What’s the main difference between a heavy paddle and a light paddle? The materials used in their manufacturing. That’s Point #2…
2. Better Materials
The least expensive materials used in paddle making are also the heaviest. Aluminum shafts and plastic or nylon blades are what you’ll find in budget paddles. Compare that with the lightest material used—carbon fiber—and there can be almost a pound difference.
Of course, the price is reflected in better materials. An aluminum paddle is much cheaper than one made of carbon. Then in-between for both weight and price are fiberglass and hybrid (fiberglass and carbon) models.
This paddle is a hybrid with a carbon shaft and fiberglass blade (photo courtesy of Sharon Brodin)
So when we say our rule of thumb is to buy the lightest paddle you can afford, we mean that you’ll get better materials the more you can spend. We don’t want you to overspend and put yourself in financial hardship—but we also don’t want you to underspend and not enjoy your paddling experience!
If your paddle is a 2-piece or 4-piece (which makes it easier to store and transport), a better paddle made with better materials will have more robust, tight-fitting connections. You won’t have to worry about wobble in your shaft.
3. Stiffer Blade
A higher-quality SUP paddle will have a more well-designed and generally stiffer blade. A stiff blade improves efficiency and gives you more power and control. This enables you to manage your board’s movement with less effort and more precision.
4. Bent Shaft
Better paddles are more likely to have a slight bend in the shaft near the blade (we make ours with a 10º bend). A bent shaft gives a more ergonomic stroke that reduces the strain on your wrist and gives better alignment through your hands and forearms.
This means two things: less fatigue and more efficiency on the water. A bent shaft can make a real difference for paddlers with joint issues.
A bent shaft creates more efficiency and less fatigue (photo courtesy of Emily Hendricks)
5. More Comfort
There are three features of a nice paddle that make it much more comfortable on the water than a cheap paddle:
- A fiberglass or carbon shaft never gets cold on your hands
- An ovalized shaft (like Aqua Bound SUP paddles have) fits the contours of your grip naturally
- A well-made and comfortable grip means no blisters and better control
6. Greater Durability
SUP paddles made with high-quality materials are designed to last for years. Even decades, depending on your paddling style and how you take care of it.
It’s not even just the materials themselves, as aluminum is also very durable. But a quality paddle will have tight connection points between the grip and shaft, the blade and shaft, and where the two or four pieces connect together. These connection points should remain tight-fitting and dependable for years as well.
NOTE: Our newest blade design for our top-end Malta SUP paddle uses our patent-pending Lam-Lok™ technology. More than a dozen feet of aramid stitching protects the blade edges from wear and tear. This dramatically extends the life of the paddle if it continually meets with sand, gravel and other abrasives.
7. Less Fatigue
The result of lighter materials, a stiffer blade for better performance, the bent shaft for more efficiency and ergonomic handling—all point to less fatigue while you paddle. That means you can enjoy the water longer each day you’re out. It means you can paddle for days in a row without the soreness.
A lighter paddle is much easier to handle on a day of SUP fishing
And it means paddle boarding can continue to be part of your life for years to come, well into your golden years.
8. More Enjoyment
The wrap-up? You get more enjoyment on the water. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Paddling is fun, therapeutic, a wonderful way to enjoy nature, and healthy in so many ways. Having good gear goes a long way in optimizing your enjoyment.
BONUS: More Eye-Catching
Another disadvantage of cheap paddles? They’re ugly.
Now, you may have never thought about it. And maybe you don’t care what your paddle looks like. But if you never thought a paddle could be beautiful…take a peek at our Malta Fiberglass collection.
The Malta Fiberglass blades are handmade by taking pieces of silk fabric (yes, silk!) and placing them between layers of fiberglass. Each blade is pressed in a specialized mold and then securely attached to the carbon shaft.
The result is a translucent display of color and design that’s truly eye-catching! For some of us, that adds even more enjoyment to our paddleboarding experiences.
Ready for some shopping? See our entire collection of SUP paddle here.
[This was first published in 2017 and has been updated.]
What paddling questions can our friendly Customer Service team help you with? Contact us at 715-755-3405 or [email protected]
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